Talking About Mental Health---MOM Matters Newsletter---Spring 2017

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

It is always important for us to review our mission statement and vision statement on a regular basis in order to make sure that we are "on the right TRACK."

Our Mission: As a witness for Jesus Christ, Medical Outreach Ministries exists to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the medically under-served by providing free healthcare services.

We all know the important of keeping a healthy body in order to be able to fulfill our obligations and carry out our daily activities. Maintaining mental health is equally important. What exactly do we mean when we refer to mental health?

An information definition of mental health is a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life.

Working with the clients at MOM, it is evident that many struggle with mental health issues and often need the help of a counselor to guide them in their personal healing process. Overcoming past trauma and developing positive coping skills to help them maneuver their current situations is vital in the therapeutic process. Having a therapist whom they can trust and who is encouraging, supportive, and non-judgmental is part of the services provided at MOM.

While working with the therapist, clients have the opportunity to talk about the issues that are keeping them frozen emotionally and preventing them from leading a happy, fulfilling life.

While interacting with their therapist, the clients can rest assured that what they say is valuable and will be kept confidential. Often times, just having an open forum to discuss relationships, troubling events, difficult situations, and health problems is the first step in getting better. Some situations that seem insurmountable when first approached become doable as the clients begin to explore various solutions. Helping them to examine their beliefs about those situations and gain a different perspective can be empowering.

Our Vision Statement: Healing Hope for the Uninsured.

Considering the vision statement, it is clear that for clients to get better mentally, they must have hope. The healing hope that allows them to know that regardless of their situations, they can improve their outlook on life and realize that there are many things for which to be thankful. No matter how deep the hole they feel they are in, the counselors at MOM do more than extending a helping hand, they are willing to get in the hole with them. Together they work to figure out the best way to escape. Having this therapeutic alliance is vital in instilling hope for a better life.

In conclusion, it is apparent that the medical team, staff, and volunteers at Medical Outreach Ministries do an amazing job of addressing the physical needs of our patients, the mental health counselors work hard to administer to the emotional needs of our clients and the entire organization embraces the importance of nurturing the spiritual needs of everyone associated with MOM. Looks like we are definitely on "TRACK."

From the Director....Nancy Hogan

Many of the patients at Medical Outreach Ministries are suffering from more than physical ailments. Oftentimes they need someone to talk to someone to listen to the pain they are feeling and guide them through the feelings of hopelessness they are experiencing.

Three years ago, MOM was blessed when two mental health counselors understood the need of assisting those that do not have the means to afford mental health care and began volunteering their time and talent to encourage hope and empower our patients to take control of their lives. Understanding the need for mental health counseling, Virginia Majors, EdS, LPC (the author of the article above) and Libby Fitzpatrick, ALC of Martha Ellis, began seeing patients each Tuesday and Thursday with Libby recently extending her hours to include several Fridays each month. Our counselors have had 285 patient encounters, offering help and hope to those coping with situations in their lives.

For those with a mental health diagnosis, no two days are the same nor in each person's experience. Beyond the clinical classification of what it means to have a mental illness, there is the personal experience that shapes the life of someone who is affected by these conditions. Mental health does not discriminate race, color, or national origin. Making the decision to seek professional help in solving problems can be a difficult one. In many cases pride and dignity are restored with the guidance offered by Virginia and Libby.

Volunteers' diverse skills have created the strong, integrated program that MOM offers. Most come on a specfic day of the week, sometimes on a weekly or biweekly basis, building continuity for the patients. Working together, the clinic has grown tremendously in the past several years; grown in services offered, grown in number of providers, and grown in patient visits. With this growth we constantly aim to ensure that our patient-centered system is based on high quality and effective communications among caregivers.

I would like to share with you a poem which was originally published in the Spring 2003 MOM newsletter. the of this poem was a 32-year old patient who grew up in a household of abuse; physically, emotionally, and sexually throughout her childhood. The poem you are about to read is a result of God's work in her life through those of Medical Outreach Ministries who gave her hope to allow God's healing.

I've prayed for you so many years

Through all the heartache, pain, and tears.

Someone to trust and share my story,

Then tell me I'm worthy of God's awesome glory.

You're finally here; I'll be free at last

No longer chained to a painful past.

Gone will be the shame and incredible sorrow,
Allowing me the hope of a brighter tomorrow.

My heart is healing, my soul now mending,

Your book should have a patent pending.

So easy to read, any idiot could see,

How simple Go's message was meant to be.

The more I read, the more I learned,

It was God's love for which I yearned.

And He does! God loves me, it's true.

You are my heroes...you, Tom and Sue.

God sent you so that I may live.

To strengthen my heart and help me forgive,

As I grow stronger, I'm beginning to see

the first name on that list needs to be me!

Only then can I heal completely

And forgive those who've hurt me deeply.

this will take time and patient, too,

But I will recover! Thanks to you!

God Bless You!--February 26, 2003

We are grateful to Virginia and Libby, and all our volunteers for helping us keep this legacy of Healing Hope alive at MOM!